The 2026 MLB season is upon us, and that means another year of figuring out how to watch games. The league threw a curveball at fans in the winter, as MLB agreed to sell MLB.TV, the league’s out-of-market broadcast package, through ESPN. Here’s how to navigate the new landscape, plus ways to save on it.
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MLB.TV
For those new to the streaming game, particularly when it comes to baseball, MLB.TV is Major League Baseball’s out-of-market service to watch live games on mobile & streaming devices.
MLB.TV also comes with additional perks. It includes access to MiLB.TV, MLB Big Inning, and the MLB Network.
While individuals were able to buy packages of MLB.TV through avenues like Amazon in the past, the main way that individuals will purchase the out-of-market service is through ESPN. This is thanks to Major League Baseball’s recent agreement with the sports station to sell the product through the ESPN app.
In fact, those who go to the official MLB.TV webpage will show that there is a new card that redirects to the ESPN website to subscribe for the first time (note: this only applies to subscribers in the United States. International users can still purchase through the league).
However, it’s also worth noting that people who have subscribed to MLB.TV in the past, through the league, and having a renewing subscription will keep it. Nothing has to be done, aside from cross-verifying with an ESPN account to watch it through the latter’s app.
Unfortunately, for baseball fans, this new setup comes with drawbacks. Last year, we noted that MLB.TV subscribers were able to save 50% off their yearly subscription with a donation to the MLB Players’ Alumni Association, cutting it from $150 to $75 (a minimum $25 donation was required).
That perk is no longer available. However, there are still some ways to save, even if it’ll mean paying more than in 2025.
New subscribers with ESPN
For the 2026 MLB season, individuals can purchase a yearly MLB.TV subscription for $134.99 as long as one has access to ESPN Unlimited. Otherwise, it’s $149.99, either through ESPN or auto-renew via MLB.TV
ESPN Unlimited, introduced last year, is ESPN’s streaming service that provides access to ESPN+, as well as all of ESPN’s networks (including ESPN2, ESPNU, ACC Network, ESPNews, & SEC Network)
This service can be purchased straight through Disney or through a streaming provider/cable service (i.e., Verizon FiOS, Hulu) that includes ESPN & its family of networks.
Now, for those who don’t have ESPN Unlimited or MLB.TV (through the league) in the United States, you will need it to subscribe to MLB.TV for ESPN. The good news is that those who sign up for MLB.TV through ESPN will receive a one-month free trial for ESPN Unlimited.
Additionally, it’s important to note that you don’t need to maintain access to ESPN Unlimited to keep the MLB.TV subscription is active. Meaning, make sure to cancel before the one-month trial is up to not get charged for an unwanted product (unless you want to keep ESPN Unlimited, of course).
Yearly plan
ESPN and MLB offer two payment plans for out-of-market MLB.TV package: a monthly fee and a yearly fee.
The monthly fee is $29.99 a month. As for the year, it’s $149.99, unless one is an ESPN Unlimited subscriber. Doing the math over six months, and paying month-to-month costs more.
Unless, of course, one doesn’t want to pay the full price and instead wants to purchase for one month or two to see how things go. It’s always up to you as to how you want to spend money.
T-Mobile
For years, those who have T-Mobile have been able to save on MLB.TV by redeeming a free yearly subscription through the T-Life App. The league extended its agreement with the mobile carrier three years ago through 2028.
MLB confirmed that this will still be available to consumers for 2026. Be mindful, though, that this offer traditionally opens up in late March & stays available for one week. Last year, it was available from March 25 through March 31, 2025.
In-market team packages
Lastly, we can’t forget about the in-market team packages. These are for fans who live in the market of their favorite team and want to purchase the rights to watch all non-nationally televised games shown through local TV.
For example, those who live in western Illinois — the Cardinals’ market — must purchase the rights to those games through Cardinals.TV, which will replace FanDuel Sports Network Midwest.
Fourteen different teams have in-right packages exclusive to MLB, many of which had their rights belong to Bally Sports/FanDuel Sports Network at one point. Those teams are the Angels, Brewers, Cardinals, Guardians, Diamondbacks, Giants, Mariners, Marlins, Nationals, Padres, Rays, Reds, Rockies, Royals, and Twins.
A yearly package for one of these services is $99.99. However, the league offers a $199.99 price to combine the in-market package with MLB.TV and all the perks that come with it. That $199.99 deal is extended by the league, not ESPN.
So, if you want rights to the in-market team and MLB.TV, buying both at a bundle comes at a $50 discount.
It should also be noted that SportsNet LA, SNY, MASN, NBC Sports Philadelphia, Bay Area & California also offer deals through the league. However, unlike the 14 teams mentioned above, none of these teams offer an in-market/MLB.TV package.
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